10 Things I learned from a Buy & Sell LuLaRoe Facebook Group

If you haven’t heard of LuLaRoe, you’ve either been hanging out under a rock or taking a social media hiatus because the internets are extolling the many virtues of “butter leggings” and LuLaRoe stuff in general.

LuLaRoe is a clothing line sold via multi-level marketing – MLM. Sort of the same concept as Pampered Chef, Mary Kay and that crazy mascara that makes your lashes long enough to trip over. It’s stretchy, comfy, of reasonably good quality and FUN. They have solids, stripes, florals, polka dots, chevrons and any pattern you can dream up plus a few you probably wouldn’t expect like root beer mugs and zebras. Fun. They have skirts, shirts, dresses and of course, their famous leggings.

They’re like butter, those leggings. They are.

I know comparing an article of clothing to something you slather on toast might seem weird but these leggings are deliciously soft to the touch. When I see someone else wearing LuLaRoe leggings, I get this urge to go up and touch them…I know that’s really weird but OMG these leggings.

No, no one is paying me or supplying me with free leggings to write this. I wish.

These leggings have nice high waistbands. After years of wearing low-rise jeans, trying to keep it all sucked in and hoping my assets weren't on display, I welcome pants that sit right below my boobs. These lovelies almost make my muffin top disappear. I own four pairs and I’ve pretty much broken up with regular pants and I’ve never been happier. If these leggings had lips, I’d make out with them in public and not care who was watching.

You can buy LuLaRoe through individual consultants who sell via pop-up shops or Facebook groups. There are differences between the large buy and sell groups and the groups individual consultants maintain for clients.

The main difference is the people in the latter group can hide their crazy.

It’s hard to distinguish between the groups at first. Someone might invite you to one of these big buy and sell lulapaloozas. It might seem innocent at first. You give in to the temptation to click “request to join group.” It’s a Facebook group for women who love leggings. Harmless fun.

Sucka.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

There are rules

There will usually be a pinned post at the top of the page outlining rules for that group. There might be some chirpy disclaimer about how the group is a shiny, happy place that doesn’t need a lot of rules followed by long list of do’s and don’ts that will get you ejected before you can say “ooh that print is just darling!” Follow the rules like it’s your job, ladies. This is not a drill.

Don’t make fun of the merch

You might think the “elegant collection” is anything but. Avoid commenting that a shimmery tunic resembles a Hefty bag that your toddler threw glitter at. Someone loves that garment with a passion that is all-consuming and a little scary. If you don’t like it, keep it zipped, sister. Ditto for making comments that those feather patterned leggings look like they’re festooned with tiny vaginas.

Just. Keep. Scrolling.

Trust me, you don’t want to invoke the wrath of a woman who’s been chugging Monsters and trolling LuLaRoe groups for 47 hours straight looking for one particular pair of cat-patterned leggings. Insulting her “unicorn” is probably worse than insulting her child. She will cut you. Be afraid.

A unicorn is someone’s highly coveted pattern, not a mythical beast

If you spend 30 seconds in any LuLaRoe group, you’ll read about unicorns. Pizza leggings, any holiday patterns (pumpkins, witch hats, snowmen) or the granddaddy unicorn of them all, solid black leggings. Only in Lula La La Land are black leggings a rarity.

LuLaRoe limits their patterns so different consultants get different merchandise. If you’re hell bent on finding your unicorn, you’ll probably cruise the groups. It’s a little like bar hopping. Which brings me to…

Belonging to more than one LuLaRoe Facebook group is inevitable

If you get bitten by the leggings bug, you won't be satisfied with just one group. You might find a consultant you like but you’re going to have to cheat on her so prepare yourself now. She’ll understand. Things escalate quickly. The hunt for those leggings with light bulbs wearing Santa hats will become your new obsession. Don’t feel bad if you forget to feed your children or shower. Totally normal.

Used LuLaRoe is a thing

Once you zone in on your unicorn, you’ll do anything to get it, including buying someone’s gently used leggings for twice the retail price. Sounds a little gross, right?

“Here’s a picture of my parrot leggings! I’ve worn them 36 times so the butt is a little frayed. There’s a hole in the crotch but they can be yours for only $50 plus shipping!”

Barf.

New Lula leggings retail for $25.00, which I think is a reasonable price but paying jacked up prices for used stuff defies logic.

Acronyms are also a thing

Sometimes these will be explained in a post (check the files or group rules) and sometimes bewildered newbies are just left to flounder. For instance:

NWT – New with tags

NWOT – New without tags

EUC – Excellent used condition

GUC – Good used condition

FSOT – For sale or trade (just like Pokémon cards, right?!?)

ISO – In search of

DISO – Desperately in search of (AKA please hear my cry for help.)

Sob stories to get free leggings are also a thing

“My husband left me. I lost my job. My dog died. I’m not sure how I’m going to afford Christmas for my kids but goshdarnit, if someone could just find it in their heart to give me a pair of leggings with little paper airplanes on them, I'll find the will to go on.”

And no, I’m not poking fun at anyone’s hard luck story or mental health but in times of crisis, leggings seems like a weird thing to fixate on. Most of these posts I’ve seen have a hint of scam about them and to the credit of most group admins, they’re usually taken down after the Lula masses come after them with virtual pitchforks and spears. I don’t understand how one could be so desperate for comfy leggings that they’d lie about their life imploding yet here we are.

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Bidding gets…intense

In 1998, I saw two women almost throw down over Beanie Babies. Maybe they did throw down. The crazed look in one woman’s eyes and the way she clutched that tiny stuffed giraffe in her claws frightened me enough to make me turn and get the hell out of dodge.

LuLaRoe auction groups are kind of like that, minus the immediate danger of getting shanked. I say immediate because I’m sure there are some crazies out there who’d cut a bitch over some EUC paisley leggings from a pet and smoke-free home.

It just might take a minute but if zealous bidding results in someone else getting deprived of their unicorn, you’d best be checking your backseat when you get in your car. You never know.

Roe is a verb

“This is how I Roe.”

“Show me how you Roe.”

“Roe, Roe, Roe your boat.”

“They see me Roe-ing…they hatin'”

I could go on but you get the idea.

Buyer beware

In all seriousness, I love LuLaRoe but don’t get sucked into an online bidding war. No matter how obsessed you are with your dream leggings there’s probably no good reason to invest a ton of your time, effort and money into locating them. THEY'RE LEGGINGS.

You might want those leggings really bad. You might convince yourself that your life won’t be the same without them. Newsflash: You don’t need them and yes, your life will still be good if you let it. It’s easy to find things you like and you never know…your unicorn might drop into your lap when you least expect.

I’ve found a dealer – er, consultant – I like who lives in my area and I buy most of my LuLaRoe from her. I can see the patterns in person (colors sometimes look different online…ask me about my black and orange leggings that I thought were a nice charcoal and gold) and even try things on. I know her return policy and I can indulge my new addiction without feeling like I have to look over my shoulder when I go out in public. These leggings are a very good thing but people take it a little too seriously sometimes. Dealing with someone who has her Lu La britches in a bunch on Facebook? Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Your mother probably told you to stay out of dark alleys. Some of those LuLaRoe buy and sell groups are just like dark alleys: the temptation to check it out is great but what you find might be a little scary.

I have no idea how I found this article (happenstance via Twitter) but one of the number one rules with LLR is to STAY AWAY from B/S/T groups. When you buy from an individual, you don’t get any assistance if it doesn’t fit. It’s a lot more than clothing and while I tried to do some of those other MLM businesses such as those mentioned above, I actually see this company in action basically because it’s direct sales and doesn’t have the same structure at all. The BST groups are in no way affiliated with LuLaRoe and the drama is plentiful. AKA: Unicorn Hunting groups. Auction bidding groups? My goodness! What group sites have you been on?! I’ve not even heard of this and won’t ever participate. Most members of those types of group pages aren’t even consultants (because we just don’t work like that) but are LuLAddicts. I, too, was once a writer and blogger (and worked for peanuts by writing an copyediting online) AND THEN I changed my life. Or I guess, my life path changed me. Best of luck!

There’s a buy-sell-trade group that I’m in that is CRAZY. There are a lot of consultants in there but it’s a huge group and the drama is high. It’s very entertaining. I’ve bought off of consultants I’ve found in that group with okay results but I prefer to buy from my local girl because I can actually see the fabrics in person.

Jill, Well (deep subject) I’ve been under a rock with LuLaRoe. I’m new to LLR and found this article because I bought a LuLaRoe Carly that was marked as a Medium when it was a Small (more like a baby-doll); so make sure you try on each and every piece of clothing as it might NOT fit. You’re a great writer and made me laugh; really appreciate the humor and the creativity with all this. 1st/2nd time found LLR was at a Car Show Event and there was a Vendor (no follow-up and didn’t think to research). YEARS later saw a phone # advertising LLR representative and she actually called me back. Like going to parking lot sales where the one main Host has her sellers; too much work going from house to House; especially if it’s over 14 Homes. So many of the Rep’s won’t admit how many pieces they own=too funny. Haven’t started on the leggings but heard the nightmare stories of one woman saying she has spent over $2,500.00. Made a plan to be disciplined and only buy 1-2 pieces at a Show. Haven’t and probably won’t start the internet item, sounds like too much time and effort; I like going to the person’s home/show and seeing inventory. Believe in the K.I.S.S. Theory=”Keep It Super Simple”. Again, Thank You for writing such a great and informative article. My biggest lament is LLR should sell a Lindsey of the same pattern as the skirt and or pants, giving us buyers that option. Biggest problem I’m having is finding the Fabric Prints I want in my size, any suggestions that would be an easy fix? P.S. Have Relatives who are adopted; one great book was “Birth Mothers” by Merry Bloch Jones; all her books are great. My personal favorite also, was “If, she wasn’t my Best Friend I’d kill her”! Have a fabulous and an amazing life! Best wishes,

Oh Jill, the hilarity of your article is lasting I am a LuLaRoe Consultant and I’m in some of those BST groups as well. I like grabbing some gummy worms and watching the train wreck. Plus, sometimes I’ll see patterns I’ve never seen before! I find I’m in the minority, but most of my Unicorns aren’t in our leggings but instead a Nicole dress or Randy shirt. However, most recently it’s been the printed Sarah Cardigans (for real, have you seen these?!!) Of course, being a newer consultant, I don’t yet carry this style and shop from a few local dealers of my own. I’m pretty sure the rabbit hole is far longer, darker and deeper since I started selling! My once 3 piece collection has now grown to 53…since May. I would like to gift you a piece (NWT lol) as a Thank You gift for writing this article. I’m about to share it in my customer group and I cannot wait for their reactions. Hopefully they share some eyewitness accounts too!

This is SO true and hysterical! I just had a great laugh! I have never seen anyone bid over retail price…but lately I see groups you can only sell your new lula with tags on them for like only $10 when it cost you $70 originally..insanity. Love this blog. amazing!

My local thrift stores are filled with Lularoe. I hadn’t heard of the company until recently and after starting to see it in the thrifty places I liked I did some googling. So it’s an MLM, I get that part. What I don’t get is how obsessed people are with these weird patterns and baggy shapes. It’s soft, so I understand that it’s comfy. But it’s honestly the ugliest clothing I’ve ever seen in my life. I wouldn’t pay thrift store prices for it honestly. I think your article highlights how easy it is to get the masses all wanting the same thing and fighting over it, even if it’s fugly and overpriced. This company has been called out for poor quality (leggings rip like toilet paper, apparently) and not refunding consultants who want to get out of business. Shady practices. Thanks for the entertaining article.

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All About Jill

Hey there and welcome! My name is Jill Robbins and this is my space on the internet. I’m happy you are here. Just so you know, if this weren’t the internet, I’d be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like “how are you today” with gems like “Me too!” and “Great, but I forgot to put on deodorant.” I’m that person.